Humor

Whitney Cummings has her friends to thank for her career as a comedian. Oh, and a slew of failed relationships. Born in Washington D.C., Cummings spent much of her youth complaining - basically, screaming - about heartbreak and injustices. Many who repeatedly found themselves listening to her anger suggested seeking therapy or becoming a comic. "They were just trying to figure out a way to get me to stop yelling at them all the time," she recounted, laughing. "Someone said to me, 'You should be a stand-up comedian - you should try that.' And I remember thinking in my head, 'Oh, yeah, that's right, I'm a stand-up comedian.' I didn't have to think about it - it was like I had found something I'd lost.

Nacho Libre" is an amusing farce that's lighter than air, without meaning and completely disposable. Goofy humor and silly situations abound when a novice monk moonlights as a crazy masked wrestler in rural Mexico. Jack Black is perfectly cast in this role as the second coming of John Belushi. He's a lovable loser with big dreams, a bigger belly and a gift for physical comedy. The obvious plot unfolds without any real surprises and only a few big laughs. But it has a steady stream of constant chuckles that kept the packed house at my screening happily entertained.

Daily Pilot staffer Sue Thoensen went to Edwards Metro Pointe 12 to get moviegoers' opinions of "Blades of Glory," starring Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Craig T. Nelson and Amy Poehler. Competitive figure skaters Chazz Michael Michaels (Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Heder) are stripped of their Olympic gold medals and barred from men's singles competition after their tie and ensuing brawl on the podium at the medals ceremony. When a loophole in the skating rules allows the men to compete as a pairs team is discovered, they begin training with MacElroy's former coach (Nelson)

Sherron Newberg and Richard Willis bought Costa Mesa’s “House of Humor” 15 years ago, but the store has undergone plenty of changes since: moving, staying open as other branches of the chain went out of business, and broadening its market to include party entertainment, magic kits and costumes. I sat down with Newberg, who is also an independent clown and magician, to pick her brain about the humor industry and her career. Q. Would you say the humor industry is recession-proof?

The smirk and the hair may be gone, but Bruce Willis is back with a vengeance in "Live Free or Die Hard," a glorious, logic-defying shot of adrenaline that gives a lot of bang for your buck. Reprising his role as John McClane, New York's most put-upon cop, Willis now brings a certain world-weariness to his character in this third and best sequel to 1998's "Die Hard." His smart-aleck humor still zings as he dodges bullets, bombs, big rigs and fighter jets. This time he's going to save the country because, dammit, who else is there?

COSTA MESA — Poop is her biggest seller. To be exact, fake poop is the most popular item year-round. It's sold by the piles, said Sherry Newberg, owner of House of Humor. The magic, gag gift and costume shop on Baker Street has been a backbone of Costa Mesa festivities for decades. While Newberg has owned the store for 27 years, its history goes back about 50 years with a prior owner, she said. "[The prior owner] made a lot of money before there were pop-up stores and Party City," Newberg said.

-- Interviews and photos compiled by Christine Carrillo 'I like a funny teacher because usually funny ones aren't really strict.' BOND NGUYEN, 10, Costa Mesa 'I like teachers with a sense of humor so we can do a lot of fun things.' HAYLEY NASSIF, 11, Costa Mesa 'I like a teacher who understands how kids feel so they can help them.' ELISABETH SIMPSON, 11, Costa Mesa 'A sense of humor because if they don't have [one]

Young Chang In a time of band camp humor, "Lethal Weapon" shenanigans and slapstick in which people fall over, bump into walls and drop things, nine students from Orange Coast College are taking a more subtle approach to comedy. So subtle, in fact, that it should first be noted that Russian writer and physician Anton Chekhov did write comedies. He wrote dramas and short stories and, yes, funny pieces. But they're a different sort of humor, the kind that depends on nuances of words and how the words are played rather than "hit-you-over-the-head" gestures.

Steve Virgen Ask Dave Grant to reveal the secret of his success and you may be a bit surprised. Grant, whose resume reads like a tale of adventure, finds balance in the pleasure of laughter. The longtime Orange Coast College administrator and men's crew coach sometimes relies on humor to level the playing field. "Humor has been an important part of my life," Grant said. "I admit to reading all of o7 The New Yorkerf7 cartoons, before I read the articles.

When a customer asks a librarian to help them find a funny novel, it can be a challenge to find one that fits an individual's sense of humor. One person may appreciate dark humor, while another may enjoy satire or gentle humor. If you think you might enjoy a story embracing wacky characters and plots that involve crime, romance, dysfunctional relationships and even aliens depicted in a comedic light, then check these out: "The Facades: A Novel" by Eric Lundgren: One night in the decrepit Midwestern town of Trude, a celebrated mezzo-soprano vanishes during rehearsal.

Whitney Cummings has her friends to thank for her career as a comedian. Oh, and a slew of failed relationships. Born in Washington D.C., Cummings spent much of her youth complaining - basically, screaming - about heartbreak and injustices. Many who repeatedly found themselves listening to her anger suggested seeking therapy or becoming a comic. "They were just trying to figure out a way to get me to stop yelling at them all the time," she recounted, laughing. "Someone said to me, 'You should be a stand-up comedian - you should try that.' And I remember thinking in my head, 'Oh, yeah, that's right, I'm a stand-up comedian.' I didn't have to think about it - it was like I had found something I'd lost.

EDITOR'S NOTE: John Ursini wrote a top 10 list that he read at Estancia High last week in celebration of the school winning the All-Sports Cup for the fourth straight year. He gave his top 10 reasons why Estancia has won the All-Sports Cup, the trophy given to the school (Costa Mesa vs. Estancia) that collects points for winning the most rivalry matchups. The top 10 list appeared in a Daily Pilot story and triggered some anger and disappointment from the Costa Mesa community. Ursini has responded with an apology.

A murder victim's father described a detective who was as caring as he was skilled. Cops remembered a field officer who mentored rookies. An off-the-job buddy recalled a quick-witted jokester. And the police chief praised his charge's work but took a moment to laud his off-duty role as a "caring father" of four. These were just some of the words used to describe Costa Mesa Police Det. Mike Delgadillo, a 32-year department veteran who died Wednesday following an off-duty, single-car crash the night before.

Ray Rosso, Orange Coast College's first football coach who was a revered teacher and coach of several sports at the school, died Saturday of natural causes at his home in Newport Beach. He was 96. Rosso, who guided OCC to a 37-38-3 record in eight football seasons from 1948 through 1955, taught physical education at the school until his retirement in 1984. A resident of Costa Mesa and Lido Isle, Rosso also coached tennis, golf and sailing at OCC. "He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor," said George Mattias, a former OCC football assistant football coach who also coached tennis at the school.

Much adored and devoted husband, father, and friend, Daniel John Lauritis passed away at his home in Huntington Beach surrounded by his wife, Carol, son, Mark (Gina), and daughter, Beth. Born to John and Anna Lauritis in Shenandoah, PA, he is survived by sisters Lorraine and Marianne. Dan worked for DuPont for 39 years and loved traveling, fishing, hunting, reading, and time with family. A sense of duty and loyalty distinguished Dan's personal and professional life, but what most will remember is the twinkle in his eye, his mischievous grin, and his exceptional sense of humor.

Dan Huston, a Laguna Beach resident, community advocate and World War II veteran, has died. He was 90. As an active member of the Freedom Committee of Orange County, a group of veterans from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, Huston was a frequent and lively speaker at Laguna and Newport-Mesa Unified schools and community events. He died at Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach on March 15, eight days shy of his 91st birthday and hours before he was scheduled to share his war experiences with students at Corona del Mar high school.

NEWPORT BEACH - When Hale Irwin sank a 45-foot-putt as part of his remarkableU.S. Open win in 1990 he erupted with high-fives and high-stepping in celebration. Many viewed that as a moment when Irwin was uncharacteristic. Irwin's wife, Sally, contends it was her husband showing his true self. These days, Irwin, at 66, is displaying himself more and more. After Irwin spoke to and entertained a packed banquet room at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, he admitted that his personality has changed.

When Hale Irwin sank a 45-foot-putt as part of his remarkableU.S. Open win in 1990 he erupted with high-fives and high-stepping in celebration. Many viewed that as a moment when Irwin was uncharacteristic. Irwin's wife, Sally, contends it was her husband showing his true self. These days, Irwin, at 66, is displaying himself more and more. After Irwin spoke to and entertained a packed banquet room at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, he admitted that his personality has changed.

About a quarter of a century ago, Neil Simon wrote his fictionalized autobiography — and, being Simon, he took three plays to do it. "Biloxi Blues," the second in his "BB trilogy," is the meat in this theatrical sandwich, slipped in neatly between "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Broadway Bound. " Absent for some time in local theater, "Biloxi Blues" returns in triumph at the Newport Theatre Arts Center under the direction of Gigi Fusco Meese, whose splendid handling of predominantly male material ("Mr.